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Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: White wand beardtongue
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Plantaginaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Native Range: Eastern and central United States
Garden Location: Lucy and Stanley Lopata Prairie Garden
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid wet, poorly-drained soils.
Noteworthy Characteristics
This penstemon is a clump-forming, Missouri native perennial which occurs in dryish soils on prairies, limestone glades, open woods and along railroad tracks. Typically grows 1-3' tall. Features loose, terminal clusters of white, trumpet-shaped flowers (to 1.25" long) atop erect, rigid stems. Flowers bloom in mid to late spring. Narrow, lance-shaped foliage (to 4" long). Penstemon in Greek means five stamens (four are fertile and one is sterile). Sometimes commonly called beard tongue because the sterile stamen has a tuft of small hairs.